Liam Fox resigns: Defence secretary forced out over trips with friend

He resigned after days of damaging revelations that the lobbyist travelled with him on 18 trips abroad and may have benefited financially.

Dr Fox, pictured, said in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron: "I mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred."

The letter said "the consequences" of his relationship with Mr Werritty had only just become clear.

It went on: "I am very sorry for this. The national interest must always come before personal interest. I now have to hold myself to my own standard. I have therefore decided, with great sadness, to resign from my post as Secretary of State for Defence - a position which I have been immensely proud and honoured to have held."

Government sources said it was his own decision to fall on his sword, telling the Standard: "It was Liam's decision. I am not yet sure why."

Earlier today Mr Werritty, the best man at Dr Fox's wedding, met the senior Cabinet Office official investigating the alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code.

Tory backbencher Peter Bone said Liam Fox had "done what was right for the country" but expressed regret about his decision to resign because "nobody has ever said that he is anything other than a first rate minister and secretary of state".

Liam Fox's resignation letter in full

Here is the full text of Liam Fox's resignation letter to Prime Minister David Cameron:

Dear David,As you know, I have always placed a great deal of importance on accountability and responsibility.

As I said in the House of Commons on Monday, I mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my Government activities to become blurred. The consequences of this have become clearer in recent days. I am very sorry for this.

I have also repeatedly said that the national interest must always come before personal interest. I now have to hold myself to my own standard. I have therefore decided, with great sadness, to resign from my post as Secretary of State for Defence - a position which I have been immensely proud and honoured to have held.

I am particularly proud to have overseen the long overdue reforms to the Ministry of Defence and to our Armed Forces, which will shape them to meet the challenges of the future and keep this country safe.

I am proud also to have played a part in helping to liberate the people of Libya, and I regret that I will not see through to its conclusion Britain's role in Afghanistan, where so much progress has been made.

Above all, I am honoured and humbled to have worked with the superb men and women in our Armed Forces. Their bravery, dedication and professionalism are second to none.

I appreciate all the support you have given me - and will continue to support the vital work of this Government, above all in controlling the enormous budget deficit we inherited, which is a threat not just to this country's economic prosperity but also to its national security.

I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents in North Somerset.Yours ever,Liam